Shrine of Remembrance and ANZAC square

Brisbane - We walked pass The Shrine of Remembrance along the Ann Street and the ever burning fire.  This is the shrine for Australia's fallen soldiers who died in the World Wars.

Shrine of Remembrance

Plaque for God, King & Empire

Nurse and the Soldier

Vietnam War

Southbanks @ Brisbane

Brisbane - We walked across the Victoria bridge to Southbank, South Brisbane.   Victoria bridge was built on the site of Brisbane's oldest bridge.   Here at the Southbank, there are lots of arts and drama buildings like Gallery of Modern Art, Museum & Science Centre, Convention Centre, Griffin University and the Performing Arts Centre.

Performing Arts Centre

Pax lifting his heavy suitcase

reading the art pieces

The Wheel of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane is located near the interesting art piece which was out of place in this Southbank.

Nepalese building for Expo 2008

This Nepalese structure was the only building kept by the Brisbane City Council after the Expo 2008.

A further walk down, we came across one of the recycling plant servicing the Southbank population.

The treatment process

Walking further down, we came across an Ancient plants garden.

Ancient plant garden

Cycad

An interesting Cycad, a cone-bearing plant that existed during dinosaurs time.

Every Saturday, the Southbank held their art and creative market.  A huge crowd gathered around many of the stalls at this market.  I was not able to take photos of the stalls as many vendors put signs of 'No Photo' taking.

Along the way there was an Epicurious Garden with patches of edible vegetables.

Cassava (Tapioca)

Taro (yam)

All these vegetables and fruits are given away weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday by the Brisbane City Council.

Along the Southbank, many people were sunbathing in the winter sun on an artificial beach,

Beach and Sun

Australian have a good sense of humor 'Lifeguards are not Babysitters'

Artistic Brisbane

Brisbane - The whole city is filled with arts and design.  "The city without Art is a city without Heart".   This makes up the creative and artistic of the people of Brisbane with a vibrant art scene.

lane with design

designs on the road

Robotic design of Kangaroo

Public library of Brisbane

The artistic design depicts books on the shelves for this public library of Brisbane.

Brisbane Arcade

Brisbane - We walked a short distance from Brisbane City Hall to Brisbane Arcade.  This Arcade has lots of history.   The oldest mall in Brisbane - celebrated their 90th Anniversary.

Brisbane Arcade

Intricate design of this arcade

Heritage Walk around Brisbane

Brisbane - We walk to Brisbane City Hall to meet our Brisbane City Greeter, Teryn.  We were introduce to the Grand dame 'Brisbane City Hall' which in years gone by was the tallest building in Brisbane.  Brisbane City Hall is the civic seat of the city and is the home of the Lord Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Brisbane City Hall

 We walk through the Museum of Brisbane which was within the Brisbane City Hall and they had interesting exhibits of Brisbane.   Photo negatives taken by amateur photographer Alfred Elliot was discovered buried and the City of Brisbane made a photo exhibits of bygone Brisbane.

Foundation stone of Brisbane City Hall

Museum of Brisbane

I participated at the 10:30am Brisbane City Hall tour and was brought up to the tower via the oldest cage lift in Brisbane.  Old and still working...

Inside the cage lift

Telstra tower seen from the tower

Dreamworld @ Goldcoast

Goldcoast - Before we got to Dreamworld, I was upset because the company we paid to bring us to Dreamworld did not bother to consider changing the dates to the next day as my 2 sons was not feeling well.   On top of that the driver did not arrive on time and came 30 minutes late.

Finally we reach Dreamworld and is touted as Australia's biggest theme park.  It was fortunate that we arrive 1 week before Australia school break so the crowd was not crazy and the waiting was just 5-8 minutes.    Some of the major rides was under maintenance.   In spite of these hiccups, we had a jolly good time.

Goldrush Country

Dreamworld Cinema

We walked around the wildlife enclosure to see the Emus, Kangeroos and Koalas.

Emu in her enclosure

Koala

This Koala was lazying in the sun until Susan call her out and she turn her sleepy face for a good snap shot.

Rocky Hollow Log Ride

Susan raining balls onto Trev

Trev taking cover

Such a simple and childish play but we had so much fun as a family raining balls on one another.   I was soaking in sweat after that game.

Pandamonium

Pandamonium spin, swing and go upside down.

Tai Spin

This is a new ride that has the ability to spin you 360 if you are able to control the tail correctly.

The Claw

This is a crazy amusement ride that generates so much G force.

susan and the boys up in the sky

Whale Watching

Goldcoast - This one of the must do when you are in Goldcoast, off we go on a Whale watching tour, waking up @ 6.30am and walked over Cavill Avenue and the down the lane to the Surfers Paradise Marina.   Our boat set off around 7:30am.  This is the season of whale watching.  Between the months of June to November 15,000 Humpback whales arrive to mate and give birth in South-East Queensland's clam inshore waters.

Our boat for the Whale watching

Beautiful view of the river as the boat takes a leisurely ride out to the seas.  At this time, the boat helpers was going around selling sea-sickness pill but none of the tourist purchase it.

Beautiful rainbow as we set out the rough seas.  It was very rough ride with many on-board throwing up into the paper bags provided.  The Captain spotted 2 whales playing in the open ocean, and he sped towards that direction.   The whales put up a good show for all of us to watch.

This is one of the videos we caught showing Humpback Whale Breaching.   It was a beautiful sight..  After about 4 hours we headed back to the jetty.